Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities Schiff Nature PreserveVolunteers are Vital to Schiff

Schiff's original 350 acres was preserved thanks to the hard work and dedication of a core group of volunteers with a vision to protect the natural beauty of the Pleasant Valley area.

Since then, Schiff has been able to thrive and grow based on this tradition of community service.

There are many ways to volunteer at Schiff. Our seasonal Volunteer Work Days make everyone a "land steward for a day!" Please check our online calendar for dates and times and register in advance so we know you are coming. See our list of opportunities below.

On the selected Volunteer Day, join us for a day of land stewardship activities at 339 Pleasant Valley Road in Mendham. Each Volunteer Day provides the community an opportunity to work side by side with Schiff staff and Board members in a variety of hands-on projects. Depending on the season, we may be removing brush and vines from trails, removing invasive species, restoring fences and bridges, or raking out the Native Garden. Volunteers (16 and under with a parent, please) are encouraged to dress in weather appropriate attire, wear hard toe shoes or boots, and bring a beverage and snack.

Schiff also welcomes corporate volunteer groups, scout troops, religious groups, schools, and other organizations who wish to donate time or earn community service hours. Please email us at to make appropriate arrangements.

"There are not enough words for me to express our thanks and gratitude for all you do for Pingry's community service day. I could never pull off this day without knowing I can count on you to take Pingry students and keep each and everyone of them occupied with hard work. We have worked together for a number of years and I am grateful that Pingry has a partnership with Schiff. Plus, I know that the kids and the faculty had a great time! Put us on the calendar for next year!" - Shelley Hartz Director of Community and Civic Engagement The Pingry School

Volunteer at Schiff
Pingry Community Service Day, 2021

Listed below are just a few ways to volunteer at Schiff. We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

Adults

  • Publicity
  • Fundraising & Special Events
  • Caretaking for our Native Plant Garden
  • Landscaping, Trail Maintenance

Groups

  • Corporate Work Days
  • School and Scout Group Community Service
  • Community Service Projects
  • Landscaping, Trail Maintenance

TeensVolunteer Opportunities Schiff Nature Preserve

  • Counselors for our Summer Nature Program for Kids
  • Eagle Scout & Gold Award Projects
  • Join our Stewardship Crew ("Stew Crew")
    The work of maintaining the trails, gardens, and facilities of the Schiff Nature Preserve is a year round project, but much work is needed over the summer. Under the leadership of the Stew Crew Leader, the Volunteer Stew Crew offers teens (16+) and young adults an opportunity to complete up to 50 hours of volunteer time while learning about land stewardship in a "hands on" fashion through the completion of projects such as:
    • Trail Maintenance
    • Native Garden Maintenance
    • Invasive Species Removal
    • Outdoor Classroom Restoration
    • General Facilities Upkeep

    The Stew Crew Leader position is a paid position for an enthusiastic, invested, young person with an interest in the environment, sustainability, and animal and plant biology. During July and early August, in addition to supporting the Summer Nature Program director, the Stew Crew Leader gathers 5-10 volunteers, organizes work days, and completes a total of 50 hours of work commitment. Applicants are welcome to send a letter of interest, a resume, and references to .

Register to Volunteer

Please fill out the form below to register to become a volunteer.

AREAS OF INTEREST (check all that apply)
Administrative & Publicity Support
(collating mailings, email/contact maintenance, flier distribution, writing press releases, photography, etc.)
Fundraising & Event Support
(in-kind solicitation, gala ad journal sales, grant writing, decor and setup, baking, etc.)
Land Steward & Maintenance Support
(trail maintenance, native garden maintenance, invasive species removal, fence repair, painting, cleaning, etc.)
COMMENTS
Are there additional details you would like to share?
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSENT
I hereby authorize the Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Inc. (Schiff) to use and reproduce of any and all photographs that have been taken of me and/or my child(ren) without compensation to me. All electronic copies and files, together with the prints, are owned by Schiff. Schiff reserves the right to use these photographs in any of its print or electronic publications. I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms of this release.
Choose one for adults:

Choose one for children:
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY (* required)
* I have read and agree with the Release and Waiver of Liability terms.
SPAM PREVENTION
Captcha *
Type the text displayed above - all letters are uppercase:



This Release and Waiver of Liability (the "Release") by the "Volunteer" in favor of Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Inc., a non-profit organization, its directors, trustees, employees, and agents (collectively "Schiff").

The Volunteer desires to work as a volunteer for Schiff and engage in the activities related to being a volunteer (the "Activities"). The Volunteer understands that the Activities may include working on the trails, in the garden, or in Schiff's Nature Center.

The Volunteer herby freely, voluntarily, and without duress executes this Release under the following terms:

  1. RELEASE AND WAIVER. Volunteer does herby release and forever discharge and hold harmless Schiff and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from Volunteer's Activities with Schiff.
    a. Volunteer understands that this Release discharges Schiff from any liability or claim that the Volunteer may have against Schiff with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from Volunteer's Activities with Schiff, whether caused by the negligence of Schiff or its directors, trustees, employees, or agents or otherwise. Volunteer also understands that Schiff does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide financial assistance or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability insurance in the event of injury or illness.
  2. MEDICAL TREATMENT. Volunteer does herby release and forever discharge Schiff from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first aid, treatment, or service rendered in connection with the Volunteer's Activities with Schiff.
  3. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK. The Volunteer understands that the Activities include work that may be hazardous to the Volunteer, including but not limited to, trail construction, loading and unloading, and transporting to and from the work sites. Volunteer herby expressly and specifically assumes the risk of injury or harm in the Activities and release Schiff from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from Activities.
  4. INSURANCE. The Volunteer understands that, except as otherwise agreed to by Schiff in writing, Schiff does not carry or maintain health, medical, or disability insurance coverage for any Volunteer. Each Volunteer is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own medical or health insurance coverage.
  5. PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE. Volunteer does herby grant and convey unto Schiff all right, title, and interest in any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by Schiff during the Volunteer's Activities with Schiff, including, but not limited to, royalties, proceeds, or other benefits derived from such photographs or recordings.
  6. OTHER. Volunteer expressly agrees that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of New Jersey, and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey. Volunteer agrees that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Release, which shall continue to be enforceable.